Have Americans always loved British food? Well, yes, but along the way we got a little rebellious.
It was on August 10, 1776 when the news reached London that American colonists had drafted the Declaration of Independence. We were declaring Independence from Britain. We were declaring Independence from the Monarchy. We were declaring Independence from Taxation. But did we really want Independence from Sticky Toffee Pudding?! Either way, hostilities and bans on trade kept British food from entering America. Americans began thumbing their noses at the British and moved from tea to coffee and from rum to whiskey. We learned to grow our own grapes for wine (thank you, Benjamin Franklin). Cattle replaced mutton so that wool could be used for soldier’s uniforms and the milk from the cattle saw butter replacing pork fat. The separation from Britain and the war that ensued separated us from the cuisine of our motherland and set us on a course to create our own culinary traditions.
Today, there can be a tendency to envision British cuisine as bland and simple (still thumbing our nose a bit, I suppose). But in reality, American’s enjoy Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pies, Beef Wellington, Chicken Tikka Masala and “The Great British Baking Show” with enthusiasm. There is truly so much to love and learn from British culinary traditions. May the recipes, videos, insights and reflections in this blog allow you to learn to love British culinary traditions as I have.